The Trump administration has proposed that Brazil take in foreigners captured in the United States to serve their sentences in Brazilian prisons as part of a joint effort to combat organized crime.
On December 2, 2025, Brazilian President Lula suggested a collaborative approach to combat organized crime during a phone call with President Donald Trump. This proposal is part of Brazil's commitment to tackling criminal organizations that operate internationally, particularly those involved in drug trafficking. The conversation initiated discussions on how the two countries could work together more effectively against global crime networks.
In response to this dialogue, Brazil introduced an initial plan that included measures to combat money laundering and sought to block illicit assets belonging to Brazilian criminals in the U.S. The plan also proposed addressing the international arms trafficking that supplies violent criminal factions in Brazil, such as the Comando Vermelho and PCC. This cooperation aimed at creating a more comprehensive strategy to dismantle the criminal structures threatening both nations.
By early January 2026, the U.S. responded with a counterproposal. As joint efforts progressed, both the U.S. Department of State and Brazil's Itamaraty began to collaborate more closely on these issues, indicating a significant shift in bilateral relations focused on shared security interests and the fight against organized crime, as reported in recent news updates.
